Bernd Leno: “The Bundesliga definitely needs to get out of its bubble”

Football national goalkeeper Leno

“The Bundesliga definitely needs to get out of its bubble”

As of: 11:13 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes

The field players are amazed: Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno (red jersey) parries a ball in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers

Quelle: picture alliance/NurPhoto/MI News

Bernd Leno has been playing in the Premier League since 2018. The national goalkeeper is happily watching what his former clubs Leverkusen and Stuttgart are currently doing. But when it comes to the future of the Bundesliga, he has some urgent advice.

It was only a few days ago that he made a future-oriented decision. Bernd Leno, who has been a goalkeeper in the Premier League since 2018, extended his contract with FC Fulham until 2027. The German national goalkeeper once went to FC Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen before moving to FC Fulham in London in 2022.

While the Bundesliga professionals, including his former teammates in Leverkusen, are currently on Christmas vacation, the ball is rolling in England. But Leno has no problem with having to play football at Christmas too. “Sure, a winter break like this is relaxing. On the other hand, I also celebrate Boxing Day and everything surrounding it,” said the 31-year-old in an interview with the Funke media group.

With Fulham FC, Leno will be visiting AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Boxing Day – Boxing Day. “People usually sit around at home between the holidays anyway. What’s better than watching football?”

“I think it’s amazing what’s happening to both of them right now.”

December 26th is “a huge number” in England, Leno said: “For the English, Boxing Day is like Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving together. It’s the best day of the year,” said the former Leverkusen player, who has played nine international matches in his career so far: “The stadiums are full. Boxing Day football is a huge tradition here.”

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Unlike in England, where December 25th is the most important Christmas day, Leno celebrates with his family the day before on Christmas Eve. “For us, it’s more about getting together, enjoying the Christmas atmosphere a little, and handing out gifts. When you play abroad you appreciate your time together even more,” he said. “Of course you have to think about it a little bit: you’re playing again in two days, so you have to hold back a little.”

On the international trip to the USA in October, Leno was part of the German national team. But the goalkeeper was not used

Quelle: picture alliance/firo Sportphoto/Mexsport/David Leah

As far as life abroad is concerned, he noticed that the Bundesliga doesn’t really have a presence abroad. “If you ask someone here to list players from Borussia Dortmund, they will probably name Marco Reus and then have to think for a few minutes.” In order not to be left even further behind, especially financially, the Bundesliga “needs to be canceled in the future “Out of your bladder,” demanded the former Leverkusen player, who follows what is happening in Germany’s first floor from England.

He is impressed by the performance of Leverkusen – and also the first half of the season at VfB Stuttgart, the club he was with from 2003 to 2011 before moving to Bayer 04.

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“I think what’s happening with both of them is great. With the city and its structure, VfB is certainly a club that belongs in European business. If you continue to make good transfers and the coach stays, I am sure that you will stay in this table region,” said Leno – and added in relation to league leaders Leverkusen: “Leverkusen will have such an opportunity, especially the cup to get it, probably won’t get it back anytime soon. I hope they play consistently throughout the season. It’s a very long way to win the championship, but it’s not impossible. I would really like to give it to the fans: Then the Vice-President chatter will finally stop.”

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